U.S. patent application number 14/863875 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-14 for shoe strapping system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ballet Makers, Inc.. Invention is credited to Melissa Nataadiningrat, Chang-Yen Tsai.
Application Number | 20160007688 14/863875 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55066009 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160007688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nataadiningrat; Melissa ; et
al. |
January 14, 2016 |
SHOE STRAPPING SYSTEM
Abstract
A strapping system for a split sole ballet shoe having an
elastic arch includes at least one elongated strap having first and
second ends connected with the shoe upper on opposite sides of the
upper. At least one strap end is removably connected with the upper
via a fastening assembly including a fastener. A plurality of
connectors is provided in longitudinally spaced relation on the
upper so that the strap fastener may be connected with a selected
connector to adjust the strap and comfortably retain the shoe on
the foot of the wearer.
Inventors: |
Nataadiningrat; Melissa;
(Oakland, NJ) ; Tsai; Chang-Yen; (Lincoln Park,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ballet Makers, Inc. |
Totowa |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55066009 |
Appl. No.: |
14/863875 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13419046 |
Mar 13, 2012 |
|
|
|
14863875 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/8.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 11/02 20130101;
A43B 3/0078 20130101; A43B 5/12 20130101; A43B 11/00 20130101; A43C
11/08 20130101; A43C 11/24 20130101; A43C 11/14 20130101; A43C
11/22 20130101; A43C 11/006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43C 11/00 20060101
A43C011/00; A43B 5/12 20060101 A43B005/12; A43C 11/02 20060101
A43C011/02 |
Claims
1. A shoe strapping system, comprising (a) a ballet shoe having a
longitudinal axis and including a flexible upper, spaced sole
portions, and an elastic arch section connected with said upper and
extending between said sole portions; (b) at least one elongated
strap having first and second ends connected with said shoe upper
at opposite side portions thereof; (c) a fastening assembly for
removably connecting at least one of said strap ends with the shoe
upper, said fastening assembly including (1) a plurality of
connectors arranged in spaced relation on the shoe upper; and (2) a
fastener connected with said strap adjacent to said strap one end,
said fastener being removably connected with a selected connector
to adjust the strap and accommodate the elasticity of said arch
section to comfortably retain the shoe on the foot of the
wearer.
2. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
strap is formed of an elastic material.
3. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
strap has an adjustable length.
4. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
connectors comprise a plurality of recesses.
5. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 4, wherein said
recesses comprise through openings.
6. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 5, wherein said
fastener comprises a button which passes through one of said
through openings and is retained in the shoe upper.
7. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 4, wherein said
fastener comprises a snap which is snap fit within said recess.
8. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
connectors are connected with an upper edge of the shoe upper and
are spaced longitudinally along a lateral portion of the upper.
9. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein said
connectors comprise a plurality of loops and said fastener
comprises a hook having an end portion which passes through one of
said loops and which is retained on the shoe upper.
10. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein a
plurality of straps is provided.
11. A shoe strapping system as defined in claim 1, wherein a first
end of said strap is permanently connected with a medial side of
the shoe upper and said strap includes a fastener adjustably
connected with said strap adjacent to a second end for removably
and adjustably connecting said second end with the shoe upper.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application
Ser. No. 13/419,046 filed Mar. 13, 2012.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A ballet shoe must conform to the configuration of a
dancer's foot during dance movements and the shoes are designed to
achieve the best possible fit in the foot's shortest position such
as when the toes are brought closest to the heel and the foot is
arched. The shoe arch and the flexibility of the materials built
into the arch of a ballet or dance shoe are always working together
to achieve this optimum fit. However, the arch construction and
materials can cause issues with other areas of the shoe that are
stretching in an opposing direction and straps are needed to either
keep the shoe on the dancer's foot, to allow the foot to expand and
retract in directions opposite the arch, or to keep the shoe from
buckling or wrinkling in undesirable locations of the shoe. Ballet
dancers are always trying to achieve clean lines and a pronounced
arch is one goal in ballet dancing. However, wrinkling, bunching or
excess fabric anywhere within the shoe is undesirable and presents
an unclean look. It is often difficult to achieve clean lines and a
pronounced arch because of the musculoskeletal differences between
dancers and between the dancer's feet.
[0003] Ballet shoes use an ankle/instep strap that is typically
made of elastic material and is attached to the shoe in a variety
of fashions. In some instances, a plurality of straps is provided
for each shoe to retain the shoe on the dancer's foot and keep it
in place during dance movements. The straps are either pre-sewn to
the shoe or are packaged with the shoe for attachment according to
the desires of the wearer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0004] The conventional manner for fastening an ankle strap to a
ballet shoe is by stitching the strap to the upper edges of the
shoe. Variations in the locations where the straps are connected
with the shoe and in the width and thickness of the straps present
a variety of obstacles to obtaining an optimum fit of the shoe to
the dancer's foot. Thus, a dancer must try on various shoes in
order to find the shoe with the best fit. In addition, in order to
alter the fit of the shoe, a dancer may need to detach one end of a
strap from the shoe and re-attach it in a different location to
improve the fit or accommodate growth of the foot over time.
Changing the location of the pre-attached straps may permanently
damage the shoe or the user may fasten the strap in the wrong
location which prohibits the shoe from being worn properly.
[0005] Thus, there is a need for a ballet shoe having adjustable
straps so that the shoe can be properly fitted to the dancer's foot
for improved comfort and performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to
provide a ballet shoe strapping system including at least one
elongated strap having a first end connected with one side portion
of the upper of a shoe and a second end connected with a side
portion of the shoe upper opposite the portion where the first
strap end is connected. Preferably, at least one of the strap ends
is removably connected with the shoe upper via a fastening
assembly. The fastening assembly includes a plurality of connectors
such as button holes arranged in spaced relation on the shoe upper
and at least one fastener connected with the strap at or adjacent
to the end of the strap. The fastener is removably connected with a
selected connector in order to adjust the strap and comfortably
retain the shoe on the foot of the wearer. The strap is preferably
formed of elastic material and is also adjustable in length.
[0007] In one embodiment, the connectors are recesses such as
through openings in the edge of the shoe upper, and the fastener is
a button which passes through one of the openings for retention in
the shoe upper. The fastener may also be a snap which is snap fit
within a recess in the shoe upper.
[0008] In an alternate embodiment, the connectors are loops or
eyelets connected with the upper and the fastener is a hook having
an end portion which passes through one of the loops for retention
on the shoe upper.
[0009] The connectors are preferably provided within an upper edge
of the shoe upper and are spaced longitudinally along at least one
upper side portion of the upper. A plurality of straps may also be
provided, with each strap being adjustably connected with the shoe
to provide a custom fit of the shoe to the wearer's foot.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in
the light of the accompanying drawing, in which
[0011] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a ballet shoe
including the strapping system according to the invention;
[0012] FIGS. 2 and 3 are medial and lateral plan views,
respectively, of the ballet shoe of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIGS. 4 and 5 are top and bottom plan views, respectively,
of a ballet shoe including the strapping system according to the
invention;
[0014] FIGS. 6 and 7 are front and rear plan views, respectively,
of a ballet shoe including the strapping system according to the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a detailed view of the fastener for the strapping
system according to the invention; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is a detailed view illustrating an alternate fastener
for the strapping system according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, there is shown an article of
footwear such as a ballet shoe 2 having a longitudinal axis, a sole
4, typically of leather, and an upper 6 formed of a flexible, soft,
fabric material. The shoe has a toe portion, a heel portion, and an
arch portion between the toe and heel portions. The sole can be
unitary in the form of a full sole or formed in one or more
sections to define a split sole. FIG. 5 shows a split sole shoe
including one section beneath the toe and ball portion of the foot
and a second section under the heel portion. Between the toe and
heel sections of the split sole is an arch section 7. An opening 8
in the top of the shoe upper is provided to receive the foot of the
wearer such as a dancer. Surrounding the opening is a stitched
reinforcement lip or edge 10. A drawstring (not shown) is
preferably in included in the lip 10 of the upper.
[0018] The upper may be formed of leather, polyurethane, soft
fabric, stretch, mesh or other fabric material. The arch section 7
is formed of a stretch material that is cut so that the arch
expands and retracts during dance movements. More particularly, the
arch retracts when the dancer is pointing and expands when the
dancer is standing flat. The lip 10 of the upper serves as a
binding for the ballet shoe. If can formed of either elastic or
non-elastic material and is arranged opposite the arch so that the
lip is longest during point and shortest while flat.
[0019] In order to help retain the shoe on the dancer's foot, a
unique strapping system according to the invention is provided. At
least one elongated strap 12 is connected with the shoe upper. In
one embodiment, one end 12a of the strap is stitched to the upper
adjacent to the lip as shown in FIG. 1. The stitching prevents the
end 12a of the strap from being removed from the shoe. Thus, the
strap end 12a is effectively permanently connected with the shoe.
The strap may be in the form of a ribbon or other relatively broad,
flat configuration which comfortably passes over the top of the
foot as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Alternatively, the strap is formed
of an elastic material. The free end 12b of the strap includes a
fastener 14.
[0020] The portion of the shoe upper 6 opposite the portion where
the strap end 12a is stitched to the shoe contains a plurality of
recesses which are preferably through openings 16. As shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, the openings are preferably arranged in the shoe
upper just beneath the lip 10 adjacent to the opening 8 in the top
of the upper. The openings are preferably spaced longitudinally and
cooperate with the fastener 14 at or near the end of the strap to
fasten the strap to the shoe in a selected location. In this
manner, the user of the shoe can loosen or tighten a strap by
selecting the opening 16 with which the fastener is to be
connected.
[0021] It will be readily apparent that the end 12a of the strap
that is permanently connected with the shoe upper may be connected
with either side of the upper adjacent to the opening 8, with the
free end of the strap removably connected with the other side of
the upper via a fastener. Preferably, the strap is permanently
connected with the medial side of the shoe upper and removably
connected with the lateral side. In an alternate embodiment,
fasteners can be connected with both ends of the strap so that each
end is removably connected with the upper. This increases the
versatility of the strapping system and provides an optimum fit of
the shoe to the wearer's foot. In addition, while the fasteners are
preferably arranged at the ends of the straps, they may be
adjustably positioned along the strap length to further adjust the
snugness with which the strap is connected with the shoe according
to the preferences of the wearer.
[0022] While the strapping system works adequately with a single
strap, it is preferable to provide a plurality of straps 12 as
shown in FIG. 1. Each strap has one end sewn to the shoe upper and
a fastener at the free end which is connected with a recess or
opening in the opposite instep side of the upper. The straps can be
connected with the same opening 16 or with different openings as
desired by the user to provide the optimum fit, comfort and
retention properties. In a preferred embodiment, multiple straps
are provided and both ends of each strap include fasteners which
are removably connected with the shoe upper.
[0023] The fastener can take any number of forms. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 1-8, the fastener 14 is a button which can fit
through a selected opening 16 which is in the form of a button
hole. The button hole allows the strap button to be removably
connected with the shoe upper for adjustment. The fastener may also
take the form of a snap including a prong (not shown) which engages
a recess configured to match the configuration of the prong to
provide a snap fit connection.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 9, an alternate fastener 114 is shown.
In this embodiment, the fastener 114 is in the form of a metal or
synthetic plastic hook including an extension portion 114a which is
inserted into a loop 116 or eyelet arranged within the lip 110 of
the shoe upper. A plurality of loops is provided in spaced relation
along the upper edge of the upper. In order to improve the
appearance of the shoe, the loops are provided on the interior
surface of the shoe upper beneath the lip. Thus, the hooks and
loops are not visible from the outside of the shoe. The fasteners
114 include an opening 114b for receiving the second end 112b of
each strap 112. The length of the strap can be adjusted by
adjusting the position of the fastener opening 114b relative to the
strap.
[0025] The straps 12 are preferably formed of an elastic material
such as nylon but may also be in the form of any taping, webbing or
suitable strapping material such as ribbons. Because of the various
differences between dancer's feet, the straps must accommodate
different variances of foot length during point and while flat. The
adjustability of the elastic arch 7 becomes important to keep the
foot snug in the shoe and to accommodate the different position of
the foot during dance movements. The straps are adjusted and
positioned to achieve a proper fit which is complementary to the
arch fit and aesthetic. The adjustability of the elastic straps
accounts for differences in body stature, foot width and instep
height which all affect the fit of the shoe.
[0026] It should be noted that the entire ballet shoe 2 does not
have to be elastic or stretchable. It is the combination of the
adjustable strapping system and the elastic arch that creates most
viable clean, wrinkle-free fit.
[0027] The split sole also works with the elastic arch and
adjustable elastic straps for optimum fit. A full sole does not
work as well because it prevents the arch from stretching. A split
sole, where the forepart is separate from the heel, is the
preferred embodiment of the arch/strapping system combination.
[0028] While the invention has been described for use in connection
with a ballet shoe, the strapping system described above may also
be used in other types of dance shoes including split sole and full
sole shoes. The sole can be formed of suede, polyurethane, leather,
or synthetic rubber and the upper can be formed of leather, canvas,
or of an elastic material such as nylon or spandex. Suitable
binding materials include elastic, cotton, and nylon.
[0029] While the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention
have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those
of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications
may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth
above.
* * * * *